The Frozen River: A GMA Book Club Pick

One of the very best novels I've read in years, and I read a LOT! Every member of my Book Club (there are 11 of us) gave it 5 stars, as do I. Lawton does a superb job of transporting the reader back to this place and time in history with intricate details of what life was like for people in Maine in the 1800s. Her engaging details of the realities of everyday life, the harsh weather and the oppression women faced at that time reveal the inner strength many women possessed. Although this is a fiction novel, it is based on an actual midwife's life, and we are left in awe of the iron will and compassionate work of the main character. A 'not to be missed' tale told by a master storyteller.

Overall this is a well-written historical novel. Lawhon's ability to create a strong sense of place and time with solid historical detail is admirable. Her characters are crafted very realistically, which is doubly important since the novel is based on actual people and events. Because of that, the story reads very easily and readers will be able to feel as if they truly know these people and can experience the story. I liked the emphasis on women's rights and their need for justice (and how often that's not the case). However, I strongly disliked two things. For one, Lawhon presents the people of the late 1700s falsely, saying at one point in the book that more first children were conceived outside of wedlock than within. Historians say something quite different: that no more than perhaps a third (and definitely less than half) of all first children in that place and time were conceived outside of marriage. Though both Lawhon and historians agree that these pre-wedlock conceptions were almost always quickly legitimized with a trip to the altar. Given the author's generally solid historical detail, this felt like a deliberate attempt to misrepresent the truth. Whether it was or not, it was annoying. Secondly, she has several comments and scenes that are unnecessarily lewd. I know that's often the norm in historical fiction—one of the main reasons I dislike the genre—but it took away from the tone of the story and felt contrived. That said though, these weren't the entirety of the novel and I'd still give it four stars overall.

I do not generally read historical novels and haven't for some time, but this one was outstanding. In the past, I have found historical novels to be very dry. A recommendation from TikTok. it intrigued me, so I took a break from my usual reading of sapphic romance novels. all I can say is that I am glad I did. The story of Martha Ballard should make every woman who reads it PROUD. She was a formidable woman. The story is riveting, surprising in some ways, and yet the results of the trials are expected. The midwife adventures of Martha Ballard are expertly told, so vivid, so intense. I will read more from this author if this is an example of her work. Love the Author's Notes at the end.

This book was entertaining from open to close! The end was great and the historical fiction was spot on. Loved it

Well written, engaging, historical novel based on the diary of a real midwife in colonial Maine. A page turner.

Really enjoyed this book. Ordered for just a fiction read over the holidays. I couldn’t put it down. Great story about the time period, hardships and family. Turns out the main character was an actual person. I’m looking forward to grabbing another book by this same author.

This is a wonderful book. I love the story as it winds thru the life of a very strong and resilient woman who is buoyed by the unshakeable unconditional love of her husband.

Must read for historical fans! Ms. Lawhon has a way of drawing you into the story in such a way that the characters feel immediately familiar, like lost friends from a previous life. Loved it!

I love historical fiction, from an educational viewpoint as well as enjoyment of the actual story. Ariel Lawhon’s book, as she herself states in the author notes at the end of the book, was inspired by, as opposed to based on, Martha Ballard ‘a renowned 18th-century midwife who defied the legal system and wrote herself into history’ and is therefore not completely factual. Martha Ballard kept a comprehensive daily diary for several decades (it can be found online but looks very difficult to decipher.) The author also states that a Pulitzer Prize winning account of Martha Ballard’s life, taken from her diaries, is available entitled ‘A Midwife’s Tale.’ However, Ariel Lawhon’s storytelling is evocative and I was drawn into the story immediately. The story begins as Martha is called to examine a body that was found in the icy river Kennebec. She is a well known midwife and healer in the vicinity and records each birth and death in the village of Hallowell, where she lives. The dead man is one of two well thought of locals who were accused of raping and assaulting the local minister’s wife earlier in the year. Martha determines Joshua Burgess, the man in the river, had been murdered. She has opposition in the form of Dr Benjamin Page. He undermines her decision regarding the cause of the man’s death and, further into the story, also calls into question her methods of midwifery. Because he was Harvard educated and Martha was a mere woman, he considered himself far superior, even though Martha had delivered hundreds of babies and had never lost a mother in childbirth. Women in the 18th century were rarely, if ever, believed regarding allegations of rape and Martha was determined to advocate for Rebecca Foster. A trial date is set. Martha refused, as much as possible, to be constrained by the conditions of the time and stood strong in her beliefs. Ariel Lawhon’s characters are fully and naturally realised, along with their experiences, whether it was the unrelenting winter or personal struggles hampered by the rulings and/or behaviour of men. The Frozen River is a fascinating, thought provoking and insightful read which can also be classed as a murder mystery. This is the first time I’ve listened to a book narrated by Jane Oppenheimer, I thought she did a great job, giving distinct voices to the cast of characters. It’s also my first book by this author, I’ll definitely be reading more of her books.

That's a suspenseful page turner. A courageous protagonist and really nice narratives inside the story.

A beautifully written historical fiction - based on the true story of Martha Ballard, a midwife and healer living in Maine in the 18th century...a realistic depiction of the ways in which women of that time were treated....a great read, possibly a little long, but a fascinating novel...

Perfectly well delivered! - paperback cover A solid 4.5 stars from me! And honestly, I can’t even pinpoint exactly why—it’s just that good. For starters, the book is incredibly easy to read. Although it’s historical fiction, it doesn’t get bogged down with excessive historical data or events. Instead, the author keeps the focus on the story, making it all the more engaging. That said, the historical backdrop is still well-explored, offering an insightful look into 18th-century American life without feeling like a history lesson. What I loved most was how the novel highlights the experiences of women from this era—bringing visibility to voices often overlooked in history. Ariel does this masterfully, presenting their stories in a way that feels natural and authentic, without glorifying or diminishing their struggles. And then there’s the mystery! In fact, this book could just as easily be classified as a thriller rather than strictly historical fiction. The suspense kept me hooked from start to finish, making it an even more compelling read!

That was quite a read! This is my first book by Ariel Lawhon and I loved it! Martha Ballard was an extraordinary woman! The ending of the book makes me chuckle and Colonel North gets what he deserves! Well written, as well as, well researched. I would highly recommend this book if you like historical fiction. I gave it a 5 star rating.